6. Provo, UT

Population: 377,000Job Growth: 2.3%Income Growth: 3.2%

Provo is a magnet for much of Utah's high-tech activity, fueled in part by the presence of Brigham Young University. An added bonus for executives looking to relocate: Some of the best skiing spots in the U.S., including Alta, Park City and Snowbird, are just a short drive away.

7. Omaha, NE

Population: 723,000Job Growth: 1.7%Income Growth: 5.4%

Warren Buffett's hometown offers an ideal climate for nearly everyone: high income growth coupled with some of the lowest business costs around (19% lower than the national average).

8. Des Moines, IA

Population: 463,000Job Growth: 1.1%Income Growth: 4.9%

What's not to like? Des Moines' per capita income of $33,200 is $4,000 higher than Iowa's mean, but business costs are still 12% below the national average. Unemployment: currently 4.1%.

9. Dallas, TX

Population: 3,646,000Job Growth: 1.9%Income Growth: 3.6%

The long wild ride, courtesy of the telecom and energy industries, finally seems to be calming down. Dallas remains a bedrock of Southwest strength for a range of financial services.

10. Washington, DC-Northern VA

Population: 5,054,000Job Growth: 2.4%Income Growth: 3.8%

Talk about polarization: This area has the highest business costs of our top ten metros (6% above the national average), but a highly educated labor supply (42% have college degrees).

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